Cost of Living in Michigan

Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to easily compare the cost of living in your current location to the cost of living in a new location. We use the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and salary differentials of over 300+ US cities to give you a comparison of costs and salary. Let us help you make an informed decision about what it will cost to live and work in the city of your dreams!
About Michigan    Michigan consists of two peninsulas that lie between 82°30' to about 90°30' west longitude, and are separated by the Straits of Mackinac. The 45th par....More
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour while Michigan's state law sets the minimum wage rate at $10.1 per hour in 2023. Demands for a living wage that is fair to workers have resulted in numerous location-based changes to minimum wage levels. View future changes in the minimum wage in your location by visiting Minimum Wage Values in Michigan


Cost of Living Index in Major Cities of Michigan

A comparison of the Cost of Living indexes across major Michigan Cities compared to the national average. The calculations are based on the total cost of energy, food, healthcare, housing and transportation, among other factors.


City, State Compared to national average
City, State Detroit, Michigan Compared to national average
-2.7%
City, State Grand Rapids, Michigan Compared to national average
+ 0.6%
City, State Warren, Michigan Compared to national average
-2.7%
City, State Sterling Heights, Michigan Compared to national average
-3.0%
City, State Lansing, Michigan Compared to national average
-5.8%
City, State Ann Arbor, Michigan Compared to national average
+ 11.1%
City, State Flint, Michigan Compared to national average
-9.4%
City, State Battle Creek, Michigan Compared to national average
-7.1%
City, State Benton Harbor, Michigan Compared to national average
-6.3%
City, State Canton, Michigan Compared to national average
+ 10.9%
City, State Dearborn, Michigan Compared to national average
-2.7%
City, State Dearborn Heights, Michigan Compared to national average
-2.7%
City, State Farmington, Michigan Compared to national average
-3.1%
City, State Kalamazoo, Michigan Compared to national average
-7.5%
City, State Livonia, Michigan Compared to national average
-3.0%
City, State Muskegon, Michigan Compared to national average
-8.9%
City, State Novi, Michigan Compared to national average
+ 10.6%
City, State Pontiac, Michigan Compared to national average
+ 1.5%
City, State Royal Oak, Michigan Compared to national average
-2.8%
City, State Saginaw, Michigan Compared to national average
-8.9%
City, State Southfield, Michigan Compared to national average
-2.8%
City, State Taylor, Michigan Compared to national average
-2.8%
City, State Troy, Michigan Compared to national average
-3.1%
City, State Waterford, Michigan Compared to national average
+ 2.4%
City, State West Bloomfield, Michigan Compared to national average
+ 2.8%
City, State Westland, Michigan Compared to national average
+ 3.8%
City, State Wyoming, Michigan Compared to national average
+ 0.6%



Cost of Living by Cities in Michigan



Cost of Living by Major Cities

Click to see the cost of living for these major U.S. cities.


If you'd like to know the cost of living in other cities, then please select a city in



About Michigan

Michigan consists of two peninsulas that lie between 82°30' to about 90°30' west longitude, and are separated by the Straits of Mackinac. The 45th parallel north runs through the state—marked by highway signs and the Polar-Equator Trail—along a line including Mission Point Light near Traverse City, the towns of Gaylord and Alpena in the Lower Peninsula and Menominee in the Upper Peninsula. With the exception of two small areas that are drained by the Mississippi River by way of the Wisconsin River in the Upper Peninsula and by way of the Kankakee-Illinois River in the Lower Peninsula, Michigan...
Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia



Comments about the Cost of Living in Michigan

Healthcare access and affordability and your cost of living

Michigan is ranked number 12 out of all states in overall healthcare access and affordability. Healthcare costs make up a significant part of the cost of living. The ability to afford healthcare as well as the ability to access care are key indicators of how much you will be paying for this important resource if you move to another state. Affordability is generally measured by the rates set for insurance coverage in a state, as well as the out-of-pocket expenses that need to be paid by you when receiving the care. If rates or out-of-pocket expenses are high, your cost of living will increase. Access to healthcare is how easy or difficult it may be to receive the care. Access is measured by identifying barriers that might prevent the delivery of care such as the inability to obtain insurance coverage, having to travel long distances to health care centers and lack of sufficient facilities and/or healthcare professionals. The timeliness of care, how fast you can get to see a healthcare provider, is another important measure. ( 2023-07-25 salary.com )

Cold winters and the cost of living

Energy is one of the costs that contribute to the cost of living in a state. The cost of your utilitiies may fluctuate based on weather conditions. Michigan is noted as a state that has some of the worst winter weather in the U.S. Snow, bitterly cold temperatures, storms and strong winds can force you indoors for days on end. This typical winter weather can drive your energy costs and cost of living higher than in states with a milder climate. Expect to pay more for your utility bills during the winter months. ( 2023-07-25 salary.com )



Cost of Living Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Cost of Living index and how is it used?

In the simplest terms, a Cost of Living index is the estimated amount that represents the cost of the basic necessities required for an individual to live. A cost of living or COL estimate may typically include estimates for housing, food, energy, medical care, transportation, taxes, and other necessities. A COL index may be used to measure what the cost difference would be for a person living in a certain location compared to another location. This cost of living comparison helps individuals make decisions about where they would like to live and what they can afford based on the costs in that location. A cost of living comparison can provide guidance about how an increase or decrease in these basic living expenses impacts necessary spending for an individual or a family. ( 2023-07-25 salary.com )

What factors are included in estimating your cost of living?

The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered when you evaluate your cost of living comparison. ( 2023-07-25 salary.com )

The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make cost of living comparisons cost comparisons easily and quickly. ( 2023-07-25 salary.com )


Last Update: 2023-07-25